All Played Out (Rusk University #3) by Cora Carmack

First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A’s? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life? …..yeah, about that….

With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience).

So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.

Item #1? Hook up with a jock.

Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.

Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game.

Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.

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This series just keeps getting better and better. I loved Nell! She is a girl after my own Type A, list making heart! I can totally relate to her story, having experienced a similar realization myself early on in my college career. Although my "list" didn't exactly look like Nell's, the motivation behind it was the same. I also loved Mateo's character and discovering the vulnerable side lurking underneath the confident exterior. On the surface, this couple shouldn't work, but somehow they end up being the perfect fit. This book is fun, funny, and sexy as hell. I loved the back and forth between Nell and Mateo, and watching their love story unfold. Don't be put off by the football thing, if you're not a fan of the sport. I'm not a huge fan either, but this series is totally worth the read.

Up next in the series is All Closed Off, which is Stella and Ryan's story. Looks like we should expect it sometime in 2016. I'm super excited about this one and have a feeling that it is going to be awesome!

All Broke Down (Rusk University #2) by Cora Carmack

Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians you name it, she's probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He's in for a different kind of fighting. And though he's arrogant and infuriating, she can't help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.

Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it's trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He's met girls like her before fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn't think he's broken, and he definitely doesn't need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about: his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

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All Broke Down is the second installment of Cora's Rusk University series, and again, she delivers another great read. In fact, I think this one is better than the first. Silas's story was far more dramatic than Carson's, and I was caught up in his story from the very beginning. Silas's character turned out to be far more complex than would have been expected from the previous novel. At first glance, he is the handsome troublemaker, who loves nothing more than a great party. In truth, he is a man who's past has him teetering on the edge, poised to lose everything that he holds dear. Dylan, despite the fact that she appears to be his opposite in every way, is his perfect counterpoint. What I loved about this couple, is that they truly were equals. It wasn't one saving the other; they both saved each other. They made each other better. While I love a good "rescue" story, I also love when a couple turns out to be a perfect match.

Even if you are not a football fan, this series is still worth your time. The characters are well developed and the story lines are engaging. These books can be read as stand-alones, but there is some overlap with characters and story lines. Book three, All Played Out, is expected to be released in May, 2015.

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1) by Cora Carmack

Dallas Cole is used to coming in second to football. Hoping to escape the life of a coach’s daughter and her football star ex-boyfriend, Dallas enrolls at Rusk University to study dance. But the best laid plans don’t always work out, and Dallas finds herself right back to where she started when her father accepts the new head coach position at Rusk, with her ex-boyfriend as the starting quarterback.

Carson McClain is on a mission. As a transfer, Carson is determined to earn a scholarship position on the football team. His future depends on it, and he cannot afford to fail. He certainly cannot afford any distractions, either. However, when Dallas literally falls into his lap, neither one can ignore the pull they feel for each other. The problem: Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team, and Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is the coach’s daughter.

When all is revealed, Dallas and Carson find themselves questioning their plans. Dallas will have to decide whether or not she can move past her football hang ups, and Carson will have to find a way to balance a relationship with Dallas and football. Both of them are walking a fine line, and one misstep could unravel everything. The question is, is being together worth the risk?

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I have never been a huge fan of football (I’m more of a baseball fan), but I love Cora Carmack, so I was more than willing to give this series a chance. Naturally, Cora hit it out of the ballpark...or threw it into the endzone? Whatever the football equivalent to “hit it out of the ballpark” is, that’s what she did. I loved all of the new characters, especially Dallas and Carson. I loved Dallas’ witty comebacks and Carson’s determination, but what I loved most was watching them fall for each other. They were so supportive of one another and pushed each other to be better. It was heartwarming to watch and made the hopeless romantic in me swoon with delight.

This was the perfect beginning to a series that I have a feeling will only get better and better. For those of you who are not football fans like me, don’t be discouraged from giving this series a chance. Football serves as the backdrop, but is not an overpowering element of the plot. If you are a football fan, than there is certainly enough football in the story to hold your interest. It is clear that Cora has personal experience with the world she created in this book, and I appreciated the groundedness that it provided the story. It’s hard to describe, but nothing about this story felt forced or too “hollywood.” I’m looking forward to the subsequent books in this series.

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Up next in the series...

Book #2: All Broke Down

Expected Release Date: October 2014

Dylan fights for lost causes. Probably because she used to be one.

Environmental issues, civil rights, corrupt corporations, and politicians—you name it, she’s probably been involved in a protest. When her latest cause lands her in jail overnight, she meets Silas Moore. He’s in for a different kind of fighting. And though he’s arrogant and infuriating, she can’t help being fascinated with him. Yet another lost cause.

Football and trouble are the only things that have ever come naturally to Silas. And it’s trouble that lands him in a cell next to do-gooder Dylan. He’s met girls like her before—fixers, he calls them, desperate to heal the damage and make him into their ideal boyfriend. But he doesn’t think he’s broken, and he definitely doesn’t need a girlfriend trying to change him. Until, that is, his anger issues and rash decisions threaten the only thing he really cares about, his spot on the Rusk University football team. Dylan might just be the perfect girl to help.

Because Silas Moore needs some fixing after all.

Book #3: All Played Out

Expected Release Date: February 2015

Seeking Her (Losing It #3.5) by Cora Carmack

Seeking Her is a prequel novella to book three in the Losing It series, Finding It, and gives us a peak into the mind of Jackson Hunt. A former soldier, Jackson needs a job and to find a sense of normalcy if he is going to avoid falling back into his destructive patterns. He is hired by Kelsey Summers' father to follow Kelsey around as she travels abroad. The only catch is, he doesn't want her to know she is being followed.

As Jackson follows her from a distance, he can't help but be drawn in by her. Kelsey is vibrant, fun, reckless, but she is also sad. As she begins to fall into some of the patterns he suffered from years ago, Jackson can't stop himself from stepping in and coming to her rescue.

I love Cora Carmack's writing. She creates down to earth characters who are believable and I love the awkward and hilarious situations they find themselves in. I loved Finding It, and loved Jackson and Kelsey's love story. Of course, I jumped at the chance to get more of the story from Jackson's POV. I love stepping in the heads of my book boyfriends! In fact, I find that I often prefer their POV.

To be honest, this novella left me wanting a little bit. While I enjoyed it, I really wish that I had read it before reading Finding It. I'm not sure that it really adds anything to Jackson's character, and I think that if I had read it before, I would have liked it better. Because I already knew what happened, there just wasn't anything new or exciting. I think I would have preferred a follow up like Bliss and Garrick, rather than a prequel. Having said that, it was an enjoyable read and if you are a fan of the series I definitely think it is worth your time to read.

Cover Reveal ~ All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

ABOUT ALL LINED UP:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.” 

—Monica Murphy

Release date: May 13th!

Pre-Order Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes

About Cora Carmack:

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Author Links:
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ALL LINED UP Goodreads

Cover Reveal ~ Seeking Her by Cora Carmack

Book Lover's Paradise is thrilled to bring you the cover for Seeking Her by Cora Carmack. If you are anything like me, then you fell head over heals with Jackson Hunt in Finding It. Now, we get to see things through his eyes. I'm super excited for this one! Is it January 28th yet??

ABOUT SEEKING HER by Cora Carmack

A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal.

Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exactly what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she’s being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her,the more he wants her.

Finding It (Losing It #3) by Cora Carmack

Kelsey Summers wanted nothing more than to live in the moment, to exist in the here and now. She escaped to Europe after graduation to find out who she was and to escape the meaningless future her parents planned for her. Along the way she found plenty of parties, booze, and "friends" to keep her company. The one thing she didn't find? Herself. But then again, she wasn't looking too hard. Finding herself meant facing the things she was running from.

Everything changes when a chance encounter brings Jackson Hunt into her life. He is tall, dark, dangerous, and the connection between the two is electric. After a few more (slightly embarrassing) encounters, Hunt convinces Kelsey to give him a week - a week free of alcohol and full of adventure. With each new city and adventure, Kelsey discovers a little bit more about herself and falls a little bit more for Jackson. However despite their connection, Kelsey realizes that she doesn't know much about Jackson and when it becomes clear that he is hiding something, Kelsey fears that she may be putting her heart on the line for nothing.

I love Cora Carmack's books. Her characters are relatable and I love the awkward situations they find themselves in. Her books are funny, endearing, romantic, with a splash of sexy. Finding It is by far my favorite in her Losing It Series. Each one of the books in the series gets better and better, and this one was fantastic. It was so good that I didn't even need a bookmark because I never put it down. Finding It is full of angsty sexual tension and I found myself as frustrated with Hunt as Kelsey was. The passion between these two is red hot and makes for a crazy good read. And just when you think things are finally coming together, there is a fantastic twist (didn't see that one coming!) which tears it all apart. Don't worry though, the ending left me hugging the book to my chest with a smile on my face. 

Keeping Her (Losing It #1.5) by Cora Carmack

Keeping Her is a short novella that takes place after the events of Losing It, so DO NOT read it before reading Losing It. 

Bliss and Garrick found happily-ever-after in Losing It, but their happy ending will face the ultimate test as they travel to London to meet Garrick's parents. A few snags, mishaps and surprises await the couple when they land that will have them questioning how prepared they really are for the future ahead of them.

Be prepared....this is a SHORT novella. Cora never intended to continue Bliss and Garrick's story, but I'm glad she did. The result is a sweet little story that gives us a glimpse into the lives of the happy couple. The novella switches perspectives, so we get to see the events from both Bliss and Garrick's side. I loved this because it allowed the connection between these two people shine. Fans of the series will enjoy this novella. Bliss is back in all her awkward glory and Garrick is just as perfect as always. I mean, who can resist a hot guy with an accent??

Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

We first meet Cade Winston in Losing It, as the best friend and rejected suitor of Bliss Edwards. In Faking It, Cade finds himself in Philadelphia, the same city as Bliss and her boyfriend, Garrick. He is nursing a broken heart while attempting to foster his fledgling acting career and attend graduate school. Cade's life takes an unexpected turn when a chance encounter in a coffee shop brings a beautiful, tattooed, pierced and damaged siren into his life.

Mackenzie "Max" Miller dreams of making it big as a musician, but finds herself hiding her true self in order to please her parents. Max's parents don't know about her tattoos and piercings, and they certainly wouldn't approve of Max's boyfriend, Mace. When Max's parents make a surprise visit to Philadelphia, expecting to meet the nice guy Max has been dating, Max approaches Cade with a crazy proposition - pretend to be her boyfriend. Cade, intrigued by Max, agrees, but plays his part a little too convincingly and Max and Cade are forced to keep the ruse going.

As Cade and Max spend more and more time together, they discover that neither one of them is exactly as they seem. They each have demons and secrets that threaten to control their lives, but the pull they feel towards each other is undeniable and a game changer. Together they will shatter the walls they have built to protect themselves, exposing their true selves, but can they hold on to each other in the process?

I loved this book! While I enjoyed Losing It, I loved Cade's story even more. Cade and Max are much more complicated characters and their storyline is much more complex than Bliss and Garrick's. Cora is a fantastic author and I love the characters she creates. They are just a little awkward, or find themselves in ridiculous situations and it makes them so endearing and relatable. Cora also mixes in just the right amount of humor which is always refreshing in a narrative. I felt so bad for Cade after reading Losing It and hoped that Cora would continue his story. He is such a good guy, truly genuine, and so deserved a happy ending (and title of book boyfriend!). Max is not the girl that I would have pictured him with, but she is exactly the girl that he needed. Together they just fit. They understand each other and I loved watching their story play out. In fact, I stayed up to about 1 am finishing the book because I just had to know what happened next. This is a perfect romance read and I highly recommend it!

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Coming soon in the Lose It series...

 Keeping Her (Losing It #1.5) - expected release August 2013

Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right? 

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.

Check out a sneak peek as well as some scenes from Garricks POV here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/148428285/Preview-Package-Cora-Carmack-s-KEEPING-HER

AND...

Finding It (Losing It #3) - expected release October 2013

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life...or that's what she keeps telling herself.

It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Bliss Edwards is about to graduate from college and still has her V card (her words, not mine). She is determined to lose her virginity before graduation and decides that the best thing to do is to just get it over with - a one night stand. Bliss sets off with her best friend to a local college bar where she meets Garrick Taylor, a gorgeous guy with a British accent, and decides that he is the one. Bliss makes it back to her apartment with Garrick and just when they are about to have sex, she panics and leaves him naked in her bed. Bliss is determined to forget the whole awful experience until she walks into her theater class and meets her new professor - the man she left naked in her bed the night before. Garrick and Bliss are draw to each other, but their relationship is not without complications.

This is a sweet story and has all the elements of a good romance novel - a hot guy, forbidden love, a love triangle, etc. The only thing that was really lacking for me in this story was some more angst. There just wasn't enough drama, mystery, or angst to really make me pine for the characters. It is a good distraction read and at just over 200 pages it is the perfect book to read while wasting an afternoon. It gets 3 stars from me.